Xabi Alonso has praised Valentino Barco's initial weeks at Chelsea, singling out the Argentinian's character, intelligence, and technical abilities on the ball.
In his comments about Barco, Alonso stated:
He is a true fighter. You can see he has that heart, an Argentinian heart — he is ready to battle.
He is very good with the ball and is completely open to adapting quickly. Moreover, he is an intelligent footballer. When you have such a mindset and intelligence, it’s easier to start contributing effectively. And right now, he’s handling that well.
When asked what Barco still needs to earn more regular opportunities, the Spaniard replied:
In reality, we’ve only played three league matches and one cup tie. It’s still very early to make judgments — both for each player and the team as a whole.
Much will still develop and change, so opportunities will arise for everyone. He is a patient and intelligent lad. He understands he has made a significant, very important step moving from Strasbourg.
Now, the competition is quite serious. That’s good, and he is ready to embrace that challenge.
